You're My Home

by Katie Moore

He smiles and then pulls me closer so I can snuggle into him, kissing my forehead. “Having you for my best friend is the best gift you can give me.”

My face is pressed against his chest, and I relax into him as his arm tightens around my back.

My shirt goes almost to his knees, and he looks adorable. Adorable? Are guys allowed to think other guys are adorable?

“You’re a dork.” He ruffles my hair with a grin. “Yeah, but I’m your dork.”

“First of all, who says queer boyfriend? That’s just dumb. If I had a boyfriend, of course he’d be queer…like duh.”

my dad is home, and he gives me the usual hug that I love. He moves to hug Zach, kissing the top of his head like I always do. Zach smiles shyly, but I can tell it makes him feel good. Anna and Meg run over to hug Zach, too. Clearly, my family loves him.

i didn't understand why Brady kissed his head, thought it was weird, until now. it really is a family action - like a baby brother

“All I’m saying, Son, is that when it comes to Zach, think before you react and don’t take all the love and trust he gives you for granted. Someday you’ll truly understand the depth and beauty of what he gives you. And what you give him.” His hand moves down over my heart. “You’ve given him a lot of space in here. Take care of your heart, Son, because that boy in the kitchen is most of it.”

“Except for one thing…I don’t do glitter. Glitter is banned from this room and your body because it would get all over me, too, and sparkles do not go well with my complexion.”

Right before I sit down, Brittany knocks into me to get past and sits next to him. Brady scowls. “Get up. Zach is sitting there.” She huffs, giving me the look of death before knocking into me again to stomp back in the direction we came.

bitch

Brady keeps looking over at me, and when I’m done eating, he puts his arm around my back so I can lean against him for the rest of the movie.

Brady, my boy

Brady picks me up, and I’m too tired to care that everyone sees. I sag against him, closing my eyes.

I debate keeping the pillow between us for Connor’s benefit for all of fifteen seconds before I move it and wrap my arm around Zach. He scoots closer until his head is resting against me and his leg is in between mine. I kiss his forehead and doze off to sleep.

bold

I scoot over and spoon him, knowing he won’t relax otherwise. He takes my hand and holds it to his chest in this sweet way that makes me smile.

We fall back to sleep until Connor wakes us both up by hitting us with a pillow and complaining that he’s hungry. He doesn’t seem bothered that I’m cuddling my best friend, and it takes away the worry I’ve been feeling. I’m not sure most would understand our relationship, but Connor doesn’t seem to care.

“Umm…I’m going to try and get a job.” Brady frowns, his blue eyes studying me. “No.” Connor raises his eyebrows at the firm no from Brady, and he steps over a little. I’m a little shocked he said no like that, too. “No?” “You heard me. No.”

“If you want to get a job, don’t let Brady stop you.” I mutter an okay, but I think we both know that if Brady tells me not to do something, I’m not going to do it. There is no one in this world I trust more than him.

Connor is on the lounge next to him, coating Zach’s back with sunscreen. He tosses the bottle down, lying back and chatting with Zach about something that is making Zach laugh.

Connor nods to Zach. “Zach made them. He makes desserts that I have dreams about later.” Zach turns red, ducking his head. “Thanks, Connor.”

Zach huffs. “Why does she obey you right away?” “Because I’m the alpha between the three of us.” “The alpha, huh… What does that make me?” “I don’t know…the beta? Whatever is second in a wolf pack.”

“You’re welcome, buddy.” The light in his eyes dim, and he picks up his things to put in a pile, leaving my lap to carry them upstairs. Connor shakes his head, staring at me for a second before following Zach. Mom and Dad exchange looks and I throw up my hands. “What?” “Nothing, Son, but please remember that Zach is sixteen and when you call him buddy, it makes him think you see him as a little kid.”

Connor walks in the room and sits on the bed, giving me a sympathetic look. “Don’t take it to heart. He doesn’t see you as his buddy. You’re his best friend and mean everything to him.”

Connor, you are the best

“I’ll come over and watch movies with you then.” He gives me these puppy dog eyes that make it impossible for me to say no when all I really want to do is lie in bed depressed while Brady is gone. “Okay, thanks, Connor.”

CONNOR♡

Dad does his classic raise of the eyebrow. “You’re out this late, and Zach is old enough to stay up if he wants. You’re not his boss, Brady.” Yes, I am, my mind says to me. “I’m going to go check on him.”

“I didn’t do it for you. I did it for Zach and because I wanted to spend time with him,” he says pointedly, clearly not happy with my choice of words.

we need more Connors

“He’s gone, baby. I promise you’re safe now. Come back to me… I promise I’ll be right here with you.” Baby. He’s never called me baby before.

“It’s hard to picture you as some manly man. You’ve got that whole twinkish, pretty boy thing going on.” “Pretty boy? Are you saying I’m pretty?” He rolls his eyes. “Yes, I’m saying you’re pretty.”

“You said that perfectly.” I kick Connor from under the table. “You’re turning into a sappy, sweet guy.” He kicks me back. “I should be, as many Hallmark movies as I’ve watched lately. I have Tangled memorized because he watches it every time you leave him at home.” Tangled is his comfort movie when he’s sad, and hearing that sends a sharp pain right through my heart. He needs it every time I’m gone.

Mom mutes the TV. “What did you do?” “I was stupid,” I groan, running my fingers through my hair. “I left him in the dark basement alone, and then he must have woken up and ran upstairs to find me with Carrie on our bed.” I groan again, just repeating it.

on OUR bed

Your family loves you and Honey loves you. No one outside of that matters. Except for Connor maybe, because he’d throw himself in front of a bus for you.”

Connor pulls out his cell phone and taps on something before showing me the screen. It’s Brady at a bar with some chick, taking a selfie with her. Both of them are smiling. It’s not a picture he posted, but one she tagged him in. Stella O’Malley is her name. It's painful to see, and I rub my hand over my chest.

ouch

It’s amazing what sleep does for a person. Stella sleeps next to me every night that week, and I feel ten times better with more energy. To my surprise, I haven’t woken up with a hard-on even once.

still feels awful 😖

Connor has taken up calling Kelly baby bee, and when Kelly annoys him, he makes a buzzing sound.

Kelly looks over at Connor. “What do you think, grumpy bear?” “I think you should move in here, and we’ll find a place if Brady has a problem with it. But only if you cook for me if we have our own place, baby bee.”

is this a thing??

“Brat. Maybe your new name should be baby brat.” Kelly smirks. “Suits me, I think.”

Connor can dance and when Kelly dances close, he gets this look that tells me he’s attracted to Kelly even if he doesn’t want to admit it.

Kelly shows up and squeezes into the chair with me, covering us both with the blanket he brought.

i think kelly needs to find his own living situation

“I don’t know Brady well, but honestly, watching you two see each other when he came to the club…it was intense. There’s this love that is almost tangible in the air around you two. He loves you; anyone can see that. And here at home, he watches you all the time. It’s like you’re the center of his universe. If you hadn’t told me he was straight, I’d have thought you were a couple who were truly in love.”

ok, maybe i won't kick kelly out yet

Something inside of me whispers, so this is what it’s supposed to feel like. This is why people love to kiss.

Connor drags Kelly to the end of the bed by his ankle and picks him up to throw over his shoulder, smacking his ass lightly. “You keep believing that.” Instead of screaming, Kelly winks at us with a grin. “Oh no, don’t carry me, daddy bear!” he exclaims dramatically. “You’re older than I am, brat.” I hear Connor say as they disappear out the door.

“Are you going to come for me when I touch you?” My voice sounds husky. A sound I’ve never heard before.

“I love you, Brady.” “I know, baby. I love you, too.”

“During this…your cock is mine to touch and only mine,” he growls against my neck.

“Jesus…baby, I’ve never seen anything as hot as you kneeling there with your tongue out, begging for my cum.”

Brady flicks his ear. “Where is your daddy bear? He needs to keep his brat in line.”

“God, you’re beautiful,” I whisper, tracing my finger over his lips. Zach’s eyes tear up at my words as he swallows hard.

“No, I like that you don’t want to share that part of me with the world. If you wanted to, I think I would feel…dirty.”

“It makes sense, baby.” He’s mine. How many times has that thought run through my head over the years? My Zach. He’s always been mine. Now I’m feeling this possessiveness even stronger, and I’m not sure what that means for the future. Will I ever be able to watch him with someone else?

Connor and Kelly are on a lounge next to us, quietly talking to each other. I see Connor roll on his side, running his finger down Kelly’s nose before brushing it over his lips. I close my eyes, feeling like I shouldn’t be seeing this, and let myself doze off with Zach.

Brady groans. “Fuck yes, come for me, baby.”

“Fuck, get on your knees, baby… I need you.”